Pembroke 40B Hearing on 21-Unit Plain Street Project Continued to February

PEMBROKE — January 13, 2025 — Pembroke's Zoning Board continued a 40B hearing on a 21-unit Plain Street affordable housing proposal, pushing the next session to February 24. Chairman Frederick Kassman, Vice Chair Chris McRail, and Clerk Louis Carpenter heard from civil engineering peer reviewer Deb Keller of Merrill Engineers and traffic peer reviewer Kirsten Braun of Chapel Engineering, both of whom said most comments on revised January 6 plans had been addressed but flagged remaining items including fire truck access, a mail kiosk relocation, and confirmation of which traffic improvements at the Lake Street and Plain Street intersection — which recorded 17 crashes over five years, above state and district averages — will be made conditions of approval. Applicant consultant Dean Harrison told the board the existing five-bedroom rental house on the site is now being incorporated into the 40B, bringing the total to 21 units and six affordable units, and agreed to obtain written confirmation from the state Office of Housing and Livable Communities that the change does not require a revised project eligibility letter. Town Counsel Amy Klesles warned that a denial would likely send the project to the Housing Appeals Committee, where most local conditions are historically removed.